Alison loved her baby girl more than anything, but she couldn’t wait for this pregnancy to be over. She’d gotten maybe two consecutive hours of sleep, between bathroom trips. Laura was treating mommy’s cramped bladder like a squishy ball and Alison did not like it one bit. Besides, there were perks to early delivery. She couldn’t wait to meet her.
Alas, there were still weeks to go before the blessed event. And, in the meantime she had Jasper to pamper her as only he knew how.
Alison: Mac and cheese for breakfast? You spoil me.
Jasper: You want something different?
Alison: Have I wanted anything different this week?
Jasper: No. But, on the bright side, at least your cravings are things I can manage.
Alison: Yes, we have avoided the pickles-and-anything portion of this pregnancy so far.
Jasper: So, what’s your day looking like?
Alison: Um, well, your mother called. She wanted to hang out this afternoon and go to a spa for mommies to be.
Jasper: Beth?
Alison: Your other mother. The one you’re presently not speaking to.
Jasper: Oh. Her.
Alison: I know it’s none of my business, and maybe it’s because it’d kill me if Laura ever disowned me, but maybe you should give her a chance? She made a mistake, but we all have, Jasper. I’m living proof sometimes you can make the most of a second chance.
Jasper: I’m just not there yet. I can handle a lot of things, but being abandoned isn’t one of them. But, I don’t want to talk about this. I have classes all morning, but I thought, if you’re up for it, we could go to that new bistro in town and have lunch.
Alison: Sounds like a plan. I’ll schedule my thirteen daily naps around lunch.
Jasper: I’ll have my phone on, if you need anything.
Back home, at Winthrop Prep, Bianca was ready to go out on her first official date since breaking up with Jasper. Sure, it was a fake date for the express purposes of protecting her heart while making her sister insanely jealous, but a date was a date in Bianca’s book.
Layla: How cute are those hula girl lamps Ted and Beth brought us back from their honeymoon?
Bianca: Majorly cute. How do I look?
Layla: Red.
Bianca: Very funny.
Layla: Ugh, can you believe Archie’s persistence? I saw online he’s visiting Sunset Valley today. I guess I’ll be spending all day in our room, avoiding him like the plague.
Bianca: You’re fine. He’s not here for you.
Layla: Then, what’s he here for?
Bianca: Me.
Layla: You?
Bianca: Don’t look so surprised. Remember when we went to that club but you got called away to deal with your friend?
Layla: …Yeah.
Bianca: Well, I met Archie there that night. We really hit it off. He called the other day and I suggested he let me show him around Sunset Valley. You’re okay with that, right?
Layla: Of course I am.
Bianca: Are you sure?
Layla: Definitely. You’re actually doing me a huge favor, sis.
Bianca: …I am?
Layla: You are! Thanks.
Bianca: …No problem…
Bianca shook it off. She’d schemed enough in her days to know manipulation rarely worked on the first attempt. Layla would see them together, become irate, demand Archie be with her, Archie would let Bianca down gently and Layla would be happy with her prince while Bianca sought a Plan B for keeping Jasper at arm’s length. Everyone would be happy. Except, of course, Jasper. But, he made his bed with Alison. He could lie in it.
Downstairs, Dorm Monitor Rebecca paced the length of the secondary parlor floor. Sam, literally her captive audience, as she was blocking the only door, sat on the couch, mesmerized by her. Then again, he was pretty much captivated by her all the time. Rebecca ... and any appliance that required electricity to function.
Rebecca: First of all, there’s the insane amount of teenage sex going on. I have to put an end to that. Thank God Jasper and Bianca broke up. I’d need chains and a water hose set to freezing to keep them off of each other. Then again, given her track record and the track record of previous dorm monitors, she would probably kill me, stuff me under the mattress and go back to having sex with him. Second of all, there’s the whole bathroom situation. All soap is not created equally and –
Sam: Becca, honey, stop.
Rebecca: What’s wrong?
Sam: Nothing is wrong. I just want you to take a breath. You’re turning blue.
Rebecca: Being dorm monitor is a lot of work.
Sam: Is dorm monitor duty really what you’re stressing about?
Rebecca: The dance team roster is also being posted today. I’m mildly stressed about that.
Sam: You’re going to be chosen. I saw your audition. You were incredible.
Rebecca: You were there?
Sam: I wouldn’t have missed it.
Rebecca: Why didn’t you say anything?
Sam: I didn’t want to make you even more nervous.
Rebecca: You don’t make me nervous. You make me calm. See? I’ve taken four whole breaths since you started hugging me.
Sam: I’ll hug you any time you need me to hug you.
Rebecca smiled, because she knew that was true. Sam was an amazing friend. She could see why Denise was developing a little crush on him.
Later that day, Bianca and Archie took in lunch at the new bistro that had opened up across from the courthouse.
Archie: I apologize for all the paparazzi attention.
Bianca: It’s fine. My father is one of the wealthiest men on the planet. I’m used to cameras flashing and people screaming for a sound bite. Layla, on the other hand, hasn’t quite mastered the media attention that accompanies being the long-lost Bishop heiress.
Archie: She has lived a quiet existence on the island. So, she wasn’t at all jealous?
Bianca: Not yet, but she’s got the same DNA as me and it takes a LOT to get me jealous.
Famous last words. No sooner had they left those perfect, ruby lips did her ex and his baby mama appear.
Archie: Should we go?
Bianca: Of course not. We live in the same town, we’re bound to run into each other and we can’t be avoiding places the other might be or we’ll never go anywhere.
Alison: Should we go?
Jasper: Of course not. We live in the same town, we’re bound to run into each other and we can’t be avoiding places the other might be or we’ll never go anywhere.
They were seated at a table close to the entrance and, though Jasper was relieved to be out of Bianca’s line of sight, he couldn’t quite manage to keep his eyes off of her. She truly was beautiful, and though he had obligations to Laura, his heart was with Bianca still.
Bianca: He’s watching, isn’t he?
Archie: How can you tell?
Bianca: I always know when Jasper’s eyes are on me.
Archie: Perhaps I should hold your hand?
Alison: Ouch!
Jasper: Another kick?
Alison: I told you, she goes all soccer goalie when she hears your voice. She wants to meet you, Daddy.
Bianca felt a heated rage boiling in her veins. It should be her, she thought. But, it would never be her, and she had to accept that.
Bianca: Propose to me.
Archie: What?!
Bianca: Propose. Now. Look, the paps will see it, it’ll give Layla a kick in the pants and it’ll send a message to Jasper I am completely over him.
Archie: I do happen to have the family diamond with me, just in case Layla did perhaps change her mind …
Bianca: My hands wear diamonds just as well as hers do. Let’s go!
Archie stood and went over to Bianca, who, too, stood.
Archie: My beloved Bianca. These past few weeks I’ve known you have been the most blissful of my life. I love you and want nothing more than for you to marry me and become Princess Bianca of San Cristian Island.
Bianca: Oh, Prince Archibald!
Archie: Bianca, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?
Bianca: Yes, Prince Archibald! Yes! Yes!
Jasper couldn’t believe this. After everything they’d been through, she was getting engaged to some guy she’d known a couple of weeks? So what if he was hot and powerful and rich and could make her royalty?
When she kissed him, that was it. He was going to rip pretty boy’s face off, giving Bianca her space be damned.
Bianca: Jasper, leave my fiancé alone.
Jasper: Fiancé? You’ve known this guy for, what, a few weeks?
Bianca: And, they have been the happiest weeks of my life.
Jasper: You don’t love him.
Bianca: You’re wrong. I’m mad about him. In fact, he’s the best lover I’ve ever had.
And, at that, Jasper slugged Archie. Getting Bianca to accept his proposal was one thing. Putting his hands on her was another. Nobody touched Bianca but him.
Bianca, meanwhile, slipped over to Alison. She couldn’t resist the chance to rub this in her face.
Alison: What?
Bianca: Further proof you can steal my toys and trap them in your toy box, but they’ll still prefer me playing with them.
Alison: I know Jasper loves you.
Bianca: And, you also know if you weren’t carrying that thing inside you he wouldn’t look twice at your skanky ass?
Jasper stopped fighting with Archie when he heard this.
Bianca, meanwhile, kept going. She hadn’t realized how angry she was – nor did she realize the crowd gathering. Not until Jasper stepped in to rescue his baby mama from his beloved.
Bianca: What? It’s the truth. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got released only to realize she had no friends, no family, no money and no skills. So, she got herself pregnant so you would take care of her.
Jasper: She took care of herself for months before she even told me about the baby. And, the only reason she did was because she thought I deserved a chance to know my daughter.
Bianca: So she says. God, you don’t even care, do you? That baby ruined our lives. That baby--
Jasper: She has a name, Bianca. It’s Laura.
Bianca: She shouldn’t even exist. We would all be better off if she didn’t.
Jasper had never wondered what he saw in Bianca before, but standing there, he did. She was vicious and cruel, and he knew he’d made so many mistakes. But, he never thought she could turn her venom on an innocent baby.
Jasper: I know you’re hurt and you’re angry, but you’d better watch your mouth. You can say whatever you want to me, but you will NOT speak ill of my daughter. Am I understood?
Bianca: Crystal. I don’t intend to so much as think of you or Alison’s demon spawn ever again.
Jasper: Good. Come on, Alison. We’re leaving.
Sam came in from his afternoon run to find Denise waiting for him.
Sam: Hey.
Denise: Hi. I was just heading to the pool. I thought I’d get some laps in before dinner.
Sam: Oh, cool. Have fun.
Denise: So, um, do you want to join me?
Sam: That’s okay. I just finished running and all I want is to take a long, hot shower and crash for a couple of hours.
Denise: Oh. Okay. Some other time, then?
Sam: Sure.
Denise didn’t get it. Why wouldn’t Rebecca want him? He was absolutely dreamy and those muscles just did not stop. She thought about how good she could be as his girlfriend – and all the things she would love to do to him. Oh well. Rebecca’s loss was her gain.
But, when she entered the living room, she stopped. Someone was inside, waiting for her.
Alison: What are you doing here?
Sam was heading for the library to meet Jasper when a stampede of bulls came charging at him. Or, maybe it was just Rebecca. He couldn’t tell the difference with the way she ran into his arms.
Rebecca: I made the dance team! The coach said she adored my audition. I’m co-captain!
Sam: I told you so.
Rebecca: Thanks, Sam. For everything.
Sam: You shouldn’t underestimate yourself. I know the whole breakup with Noel was a blow to your ego, but you’re amazing, Rebecca. You’re strong and beautiful and brilliant and capable of doing anything you set that mind of yours to. I just wish you saw that, too.
Rebecca: Sam, you’re so unbelievably good to me. Sometimes, I don’t know what I did to deserve you. The way you’ve supported me ever since the Brian Drake thing … I don’t say it enough, but thank you.
Sam: You’re welcome. I would do anything for you.
She knew that, but even she was surprised when she responded by kissing him. It felt so natural, something she never expected after Noel. Sure, there’d been the encounter with Chocolate Thunder this summer, but that was more of an exercise in exorcising Noel from her heart, an exercise that failed miserably. This was different, her heart guiding her to an action.
Sam: What was that for?
Rebecca: For being you, Shirtless Wonder. Never change.
Sam: I won’t if you won’t.
That night, Layla was scared. She’d been calling Bianca all evening, but her phone went straight to voice mail. When Layla agreed to transfer to Winthrop Prep, they’d made a pact to always be available to each other, twenty-four / seven. She didn’t know her way around campus fully yet, but she had to go looking for her.
At the gates, she encountered a young man she didn’t recognize.
Lucas: Hey.
Layla: Um…hi. I’m Layla.
Lucas: Layla?
Layla: Mm-hmm. Oh, you probably think I’m Bianca. Everybody keeps making that mistake, but –
Lucas grabbed her and kissed Layla like she’d never been kissed in her entire life. And, when he let go, she could’ve sworn she heard animated birdies chirping somewhere.
Layla: I left you?
Lucas: Do you know who I am?
Layla: Nope. You have very soft lips, though.
Lucas: Was it the integration? Did it mess with your memories?
Layla: Integra…oh. Oh, I know who you are. You’re Lucas, aren’t you? Jasper’s brother.
Layla: And, you think I’m the alternate personality?
Lucas: You aren’t?
Layla: No. I’m the presumed-dead-but-really-alive twin sister. You haven’t watched much TV lately, have you?
Lucas: I’ve been abroad. I was only here looking for Jasper. Our mom wanted me to drop off a box of my
old toys, but no one’s answering the door at his house, so I thought I’d see if he was here with Sam.Layla: I haven’t seen him.
Lucas: Oh.
Layla: Actually, you know what, I’m glad I met you.
Lucas: Why?
Layla: Because, my darling sister has been trying in vain to make me jealous so I’ll hook up with this
prince who likes me. I think she could use a taste of her own medicine. Lucas: And, you want to irritate her by dating me?
Layla: Mm-hmm. I'm devious. It’s in the DNA. Are you game?
Lucas: I’m game for anything that gives me an excuse to hang out with you.
Layla: And, I’m game for anything that gives you an excuse to kiss me like that again.
Jasper came home and called out to Alison.
She didn’t answer.
Jasper: Alison? Alis –
He saw her. She was on the ground between the couches.
He ran over to her and collapsed on his knees beside her. She was cold and still and there was blood everywhere. She was dead, despite his best efforts to administer CPR.
Quickly, he was on his feet. He took out his phone and dialed three digits. 9-1-1.
Operator: 9-1-1, what is your emergency?
Jasper: Please, please help. My … Alison, she’s dead and she’s pregnant. Please, send someone. My baby … Oh, God, my baby … There’s so much blood.
Operator: 9-1-1, what is your emergency?
Jasper: Please, please help. My … Alison, she’s dead and she’s pregnant. Please, send someone. My baby … Oh, God, my baby … There’s so much blood.
Through his panic and tears, Jasper gave the operator his address. Then, he knelt by Alison again, holding her cold hand as he waited for the ambulance to come.
The next morning, Archie found Bianca on a bench in Central Park.
Archie: Bianca, thank heavens I found you! Are you alright?
Bianca: How did I get here?
Archie: You don’t know?
Bianca: No. The last thing I remember, I was at the Bistro, with you. What time is it?
Archie: 7 a.m.
Bianca: What?! That means I’ve lost 19 hours.
Archie: You’ve suffered a blackout? You don’t remember anything about last night?
Bianca: No. Oh my God…Where was I last night?
